Abington’s newest school leaders don’t have to move their belongings very far: they already occupy the offices.
Interim Beaver Brook Elementary School Principal Julie Thompson and Interim Abington High School Assistant Principal Kate Casey have both had the “interim” labels dropped and apppointed to the roles officially.
“I am both honored and excited to be chosen as principal at Beaver Brook Elementary and look forward to my continued collaboration with staff, students, and families to help make Beaver Brook the best it can be,” said Thompson.
“I am extremely excited to continue to give back to the town and community that has given me so much,” said Casey.
Thompson came to Abington in 2019, when she was named assistant principal of the Beaver Brook. She was named interim principal on July 1, 2022, when Dr. Chris Basta was named the district’s new director of curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Before coming to Abington, Thompson was the curriculum director for grades PreK-4 for the Bourne Public Schools and a Grade 2 classroom teacher.
She holds a bachelors degree in English from the University of Mass-Boston, a post-grad degree in Elementary Education from Bridgewater State University, and a master’s degree in Education from Lesley University.
Superintendent Peter Schafer said a screening committee consisting of parents, staff, and school committee members reviewed applicants and chose Thompson.
“Julie was a successful elementary teacher, teacher coach and Director of Curriculum prior to coming to Abington,” said Schafer. “While in Abington, she’s provided leadership and support as an effective Assistant Principal at the Beaver Brook. She did this work before and during the challenges of the pandemic.
“She was unanimously recommended by the search committee as the highest qualified candidate. I believe this recommendation was largely based on her already proven abilities in Abington. She has been an open and collaborative educational leader with families, faculty, and staff.”
Casey, a 2002 graduate of Abington High School, was named girls vasrity soccer coach in 2006 and joined the school staff full-time in 2012 as a wellness teacher. She has also served as associate athletic director and director of wellness, before being chosen a interim assistant principal this last summer.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Colby-Sawyer College.
Schafer said Casey is “as Green Wave as they come” and driven a number of additional initiatives for Abington students.
Kate has been tried and true to the students and families we serve in so many ways,” he said. “She has been a highly successful teacher, curriculum director, coach, associate athletic director and interim assistant principal…Much of the additional programing we provide during school hours, evenings or over the summer is because Kate Casey has done the extra work to make it happen. She is a thoughtful, hardworking, and highly competent individual who loves the work we do. Kate cares deeply about the success and wellbeing of every student. These ingredients are the recipe for a successful high school assistant principal.”
UPDATED 2/9/23: Athletic Director Peter Serino said no decision has been made about whether Casey will return in the fall as girls varsity soccer coach, given her expanded administrative duties.
“All of our coaching positions are annual appointments,” he said. “The fall coaching positions for next year have not been posted yet, and obviously no one has been appointed as a result. The positions are typically posted and filled in the early spring.”
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